Translation of English Proverbs from a Cultural Perspective從文化視角析英語諺語的翻譯

1、編號 2014030204B/F/Z研究類型理論研究分類號 學(xué)士學(xué)位論文（設(shè)計(jì)）Bachelors Thesis論文題目Translation of English Proverbs from a Cultural Perspective作者姓名 學(xué)號2008113010204所在院系外國語學(xué)院學(xué)科專業(yè)名稱英語導(dǎo)師及職稱 論文答辯時(shí)間2014年5月18日學(xué)士學(xué)位論文（設(shè)計(jì)）誠信承諾書中文題目：從文化視角析英語諺語的翻譯外文題目：Translation of English Proverbs from a Cultural Perspective學(xué)生姓名劉敏學(xué)生學(xué)號2008113010204院系

2、專業(yè)外國語學(xué)院英語系英語專業(yè)學(xué)生班級0803學(xué) 生 承 諾我承諾在學(xué)士學(xué)位論文（設(shè)計(jì)）活動中遵守學(xué)校有關(guān)規(guī)定，恪守學(xué)術(shù)規(guī)范，本人學(xué)士學(xué)位論文（設(shè)計(jì)）內(nèi)容除特別注明和引用外，均為本人觀點(diǎn)，不存在剽竊、抄襲他人學(xué)術(shù)成果，偽造、篡改實(shí)驗(yàn)數(shù)據(jù)的情況。如有違規(guī)行為，我愿承擔(dān)一切責(zé)任，接受學(xué)校的處理。 學(xué)生（簽名）：年 月 日指導(dǎo)教師承諾我承諾在指導(dǎo)學(xué)生學(xué)士學(xué)位論文（設(shè)計(jì)）活動中遵守學(xué)校有關(guān)規(guī)定，恪守學(xué)術(shù)道德規(guī)范，經(jīng)過本人核查，該生學(xué)士學(xué)位論文（設(shè)計(jì)）內(nèi)容除特別注明和引用外，均為該生本人觀點(diǎn)，不存在剽竊、抄襲他人學(xué)術(shù)成果，偽造、篡改實(shí)驗(yàn)數(shù)據(jù)的現(xiàn)象。 指導(dǎo)教師（簽名）： 年 月 日Contents TOC

3、o 1-2 h z u HYPERLINK l _Toc322533681 1. Introduction PAGEREF _Toc322533681 h 1 HYPERLINK l _Toc322533682 2. The English Proverbs PAGEREF _Toc322533682 h 1 HYPERLINK l _Toc322533683 2.1 The Definition of Proverbs PAGEREF _Toc322533683 h 1 HYPERLINK l _Toc322533684 2.2 The Source of English Proverbs

4、PAGEREF _Toc322533684 h 2 HYPERLINK l _Toc322533685 2.3 The Features of English Proverbs PAGEREF _Toc322533685 h 3 HYPERLINK l _Toc322533686 2.4 The Functions of English Proverbs PAGEREF _Toc322533686 h 3 HYPERLINK l _Toc322533687 3. English Proverbs and Culture PAGEREF _Toc322533687 h 4 HYPERLINK l

5、 _Toc322533688 3.1 Cultural Differences in English Proverbs PAGEREF _Toc322533688 h 4 HYPERLINK l _Toc322533689 3.2 Cultural Connotation in English Proverbs Translation PAGEREF _Toc322533689 h 5 HYPERLINK l _Toc322533690 Bibliography PAGEREF _Toc322533690 h 7 Translation of English Proverbs from a C

6、ultural Perspective Abstract: The English proverbs are the short well-known sayings that are handed down among the English speaking people. Because of cultural differences, it brings difficulties in English proverbs understanding and translating. This paper attempts to explore the relationship betwe

7、en the English proverb translation and culture by considering culture to be the focus of attention, and “the figure of speech” to be the clue and cultural context to be the basis. Whats more, it tries to reveal cultural connotation and value in the proverbs, aiming at translating the proverbs in a m

8、ore proper way.Key words: English proverbs; cultural perspective; translation; differences; connotation從文化視角析英語諺語的翻譯 摘 要：英語諺語是在英美民間廣為流傳的表達(dá)人們智慧的簡短格言。由于存在文化差異，這給英語諺語的理解和翻譯帶來困難。本文以文化為切入口，以修辭手法“比喻”為線索，以文化語境為依據(jù)，探討英語諺語翻譯與文化之間的關(guān)系，并進(jìn)一步揭示諺語中的文化內(nèi)涵和價(jià)值，旨在使翻譯更得體。關(guān)鍵詞：英語諺語；文化視角；翻譯；差異；內(nèi)涵 Translation of English Prov

9、erbs from a Cultural Perspective1. Introduction How to translate the English proverbs efficiently? Many translators are harassed by this issue throughout, especially the English learners. The majority of scholars discuss it in the aspects of etymology, contrasts between English and Chinese, rhetoric

10、, and the transfer theory and so on. These researches have important implemental and instructive significances with regard to raise the translation level. From the above, it is not difficult to see that they touch upon the cultural interference a little. Because of the close relationship between lan

11、guage and culture and the effects brought by mother language, Chinese students combine Chinese traditional thinking habits, values and so on unavoidably into the proverbs translation. Therefore, the inferences take shape and the translated works Chinglish. This writer holds that cultural barrier is

12、the key of affecting efficient proverbs translation because language and culture are well blended as milk and water. In order to learn a language, one must study the culture the language reflects and know the differences between the national culture and the foreign ones. And the manifestation showed

13、 in language.(劉華, 2003:9) This paper will analyze it from the English proverbs definition, source, features and functions and discuss the translation of English proverbs from a cultural perspective. Whats more, it points out the importance of dealing with the cultural differences and connotations. 2

14、. The English Proverbs2.1 The Definition of ProverbsAccording to the definition of The Modern Chinese Dictionary, proverbs are the fixed sentences that are spread among people and reflect the profound meanings by simple and popular expressions. And Ma Guofan says something about the differences betw

15、een proverbs and idioms in Idioms as follows: Idioms are mainly written, while proverbs are mainly oral. The structures of idioms are easier to become set than the those of proverbs. Idioms are used as words in the practical speech, while the majority of proverbs are independent sentences or become

16、independent of sentences. Idioms usually express general ideas, while proverbs mainly give judgments and inference.(陳文伯,2004：2)Deng Yanchang and Liu Runqings Language And Culture says:“ Proverbs are short sayings of folk wisdomof well-known facts or truthsexpressed succinctly and in a way that makes

17、 them easy to remember. Because the sayings are so pithy, they have universal appeal.” (鄧炎昌，劉潤清，1989：42)“Proverbs may provide interesting little glimpses or clues to a peoples geography, history, social organization, social views, and attitudes. People who live along sea coasts and whose livelihood

18、is dependent on the sea will have proverbs about sailing, about braving the weather, about fish and fishing. Nomadic people, such as the Arabs, will have sayings about the dessert or pastureland, about sheep and horses or camels, about wolves and jackals. In cultures where old age is reversed, there

19、 will be proverbs about the wisdom of the elders. And in societies where womens status is low, there will be a number of sayings demanding them.” (鄧炎昌，劉潤清，1989：42)In my opinion, proverb is the popular short, pithy sayings that express a profound percept. It is the crystallization of peoples wisdom,

20、and is handed down from generation to generation.2.2 The Source of English ProverbsThe English proverbs originate from two forms: one is oral and the other is written. The former one always comes from folk communication. People are the creators and users of the proverbs. They use them to record thei

21、r experience and rational knowledge in industrial and agricultural production and life. For example, nothing to be got without pains but poverty.(譯文：只有貧窮可以不勞而獲。) The later one generally comes from Bible, the Greek and Roman mythology, Shakespeares works and so on. For example, life is a shuttle. （譯文

22、:人生如梭。）It is condensed from “My days pass by without hope, pass faster than a weavers shuttle. 譯文：我的時(shí)日無望地流逝，流逝得比織梭更快。）”, which is from Biblethe Old TestmentBook of Joshua. The proverb “All cats love fish but fear to wet their paws.（貓都愛魚，卻怕濕腳。）is from Othello. The English speaking countries mainly be

23、lieve in Christianity. Therefore, most of the English proverbs come from Bible. It plays an important role in the origin, enrichment and development of the English proverbs. 2.3 The Features of English Proverbs Not like speech, it is informal. Not like joke, it is meaningful. Not like allegory, it i

24、s concise. Sometimes it has rhythm and antithesis. So it is easy to be memorized and understood. As mentioned in the Chinese and English Proverbs and Culture, it has several features: proverb is the languages vocabulary unit and is one kind of the idiomatic phrases. proverbs language characteristics

25、: it is the fixed sentence that has relatively complete semanteme. It has metre and rhyme scheme. The choices of words are popular. The figures of speech are vivid. And it is concise and to the point. proverbs content characteristics: it is the valuable results of peoples living experience and the g

26、listening of peoples wisdom, which covers special cultural detailed content. proverbs social functions: it enlightens life, guides people behavior, teaches experiences, gives moral lessons, does propaganda and agitation and so on. proverb source: generally speaking, it comes from peoples living expe

27、rience. Its main source is folk oral language. And some come from written documents, such as religious classics and literature.（王得春，楊素英，黃月圓，2003：11）As Bao Huinan says in the Culture situation and Language Translation, there are three main features of the proverb. First, it has concise words and tidy

28、 sentence structure. For example, no mill, no meal. （譯文：不勞動者不得食。）Second, it has harmonious sound and can be read fluently and smoothly. For instance, man proposes, God disposes. （譯文：謀事在人，成事在天。） Third, it has vivid metaphors and deep-going implications. For example, time is money. （譯文：一寸光陰一寸金。）(包惠南，2

29、001：160)2.4 The Functions of English ProverbsEvery nation has their own way to express their feelings especially when they are working, such as the work song to synchronize movements and alleviate fatigue, with one person leading and the others responding in chorus and brief, simple and vibrant folk

30、 song sung during work in the fields or in mountain areas, popular in rural or mountain areas in south China. So is the proverb. It summarizes peoples experience and lessons learned in daily life. But it is more vivid and acceptable than preaching to somebody. If we use proverbs in our conversation

31、or writing properly, it will make the conversation or writing more beautiful. And it will make the conversation go on smoothly and make the atmosphere more friendly and active. It is just like the epigram that tells a general truth or gives lessons to us. No matter you are knowledgeable or not, you

32、can manage to use it.In China, we have our own idioms. They are concise and meaningful phrases or short sentences that have long been in public usage. And most Chinese idioms have a historical origin and consist of four Chinese characters. Likewise, some of the English proverbs have their historical

33、 origin and are the conclusions that are made after telling a story. But the English proverbs are always sentences or phrases and have no limitation about the number of the words. Whats more, different culture has entrusted different meanings to its languages. As language is the carrier of the cultu

34、re, the English proverbs are the results of the English speaking countries.3. English Proverbs and Culture3.1 Cultural Differences in English ProverbsDifferent languages, cultural origins, geography location, religious belief, moral standards and so forth result in the cultural differences. So it is

35、 very necessary to deal with the cultural differences in English proverbs. To achieve it, we should not interpret them without understanding. The basic knowledge of different culture, history and background and the efficient consultation are essential acquirement. The Confucians hold the opinion tha

36、t “People are good and honest when they were born.” But we can see different opinions in “Our sins and our debts are often more than we think.” If we just translate the proverbs with our own subjective opinion, it will make the cultural differences be more and deeper. About friendship, you can see “

37、Love your friend, but look after yourself.(譯文：愛朋友但要照顧自己。)”considers individual interest to be the most important. On the contrary, we consider the national interests collective interest to be the most important. And friendship is more important than individual interest. There is a proverb that shows

38、 a kind of social phenomenon in western society. That is “One law for the rich and another for the poor.”So we must have full consideration and try to avoid the cultural differences.3.2 Cultural Connotation in English Proverbs TranslationCultural connotation is the deep-going meaning of the proverbs

39、. Without it, the target language will lose the faithfulness of the source language. The English speaking people use varied ways to present the meaningful cultural connotation.First, they use the animal as the subject. We can see “cat” is used to substitute for different kinds of people. In “Ale wil

40、l make cat speak.”, it refers to people who gets drunk. In “All cats love fish but fear to wet their paws.”, it refers to people who is not willing to pay for what he wants to get. In “A cat may look at a king.”, it refers to the unimportant person. But in “A cat has nine lives.”, it means having gr

41、eat vitality. We should consider both the similarities and differences the word “cat” brings to us between daily life and literary.Second, they use some images that are typical and reflect their religious belief “Why ask the Bishop when the Popes around.” If we know the Pope is more superior to the

42、Bishop, we will understand it easily. “We must not lie down, and cry, God help us.” It tells us not to depend on others and try to do it by yourself. After surmising the cultural connotation, we use “神” to translate the word “God”. “神” refers to man with magic power and appears in mythology. “I fear

43、 the Greeks, even when bring gifts.” According to the Greek legend, we are familiar with the story of Trojan horse. Then we can translate it properly. “Man proposes, God disposes.” Here we use “天” to translate the word “God”. “天” means the ruler of the natural world. So it is important to understand

44、 the cultural connotation and learn to make appropriate adaptation.Third, some of the English proverbs use concise expressions but profound meanings. For example, the child is the father of the man. (譯文：從小看大，三歲看老。)The structure is not complex, but the puzzlement is “ how can a child be a mans father”? If we consider over and over again and translate it in